Getting an NBI Clearance Online

The last time I got an NBI clearance was 2011. I only had to renew it by showing them an old NBI clearance copy and then I can get a new one in a matter of minutes. Easy peasy. Since I need it again this time, I went to Robinson's Otis, Paco, Manila (It has fewer people) to renew it again. But I was told that I have to sign up online first at http://clearance.nbi.gov.ph and fill up the form, come back to their cashier and pay Php 115 and also provide the confirmation number provided after filling up the form. Online NBI application is easy..you can even do it on your mobile phone. It only takes a couple minutes to sign up.

screenshot of the NBI form

Steps to get an NBI Clearance

1. Go to http://clearance.nbi.gov.ph

2. Fill up the form

3. Choose your schedule and NBI kiosk to go to

4. Pay via bayad center or pay up at the NBI kiosk's cashier 

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5. Photo and fingerprint capture

6. Wait for clearance printing  (If you don't have a hit)

Since I was used to not having problems getting an NBI clearance, I sat there waiting for them to call my name after the photo and fingerprint capture. 30 minutes have passed and they still haven't called me. I walked up to the releasing booth and showed them my receipt. The guy looked at the back portion and told me to come back after 10 days. 10 days?? What the heck? Others who have applied the same time as me have gotten theirs in just a few minutes. 

I went home worrying the whole time. I couldn't wait till its 10 days already. I wanted to know why its taking so long. Why did I get a "hit"? Did someone used my name to commit a crime? I was really getting paranoid. 

Finally, 10 days have passed and I went back there to retrieve my NBI clearance! Voila! I got it! Yayyy! I was so relieved! I asked the guy why it took so long. He said I probably have a namesake with a pending criminal case and they just needed time to verify its not me. Well, I'm just glad it worked out good for me! I was afraid I'd have to go to their quality control center to prove that the person with a pending case is not me. Glad I didn't have to!

Reasons why people get a hit

1. Applying for NBI Clearance for travel abroad

For those applying for clearance for travel abroad, I read that it's on auto-hit. Since NBI has been updating their system, they just want to verify further that those people traveling abroad do not have a criminal record. 

2. Has a namesake

We now have over 104 million citizens and its not unusual to share your name with someone else.

3. Has a criminal record

You might have a pending criminal case that you do not know about. Even if you did not receive a subpoena, the case will still roll. 

What to do when you got a hit

If you know that you haven't committed any crime, then you have no reason to worry. Just wait for the release schedule of your NBI clearance and claim it. In case they need to further interview you, just go to their NBI clearance quality control center in Taft Avenue and answer all their questions truthfully. They just need to verify that you are not the same person with the criminal record.

In case you have a criminal record, expect to get a hit and all you can do is hire a lawyer to settle your case before you can even get an NBI clearance.

Robinson's Otis NBI Clearance Center Operating Hours

Monday - Friday  8am - 5pm

Saturday 10am - 7pm

Requirements:

2 valid IDs

 (Passport, SSS ID, School ID, PRC License, Voters ID, Postal ID, Company ID, Driver's license, NSO birth certificate, etc.)

That's it! Best of luck!